Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Unfortunately, they encountered Orochimaru in the Forest of Death beforehand; otherwise, he certainly wouldn't have let the Cloud Ninja team pass the trial in the Forest of Death.

The following match proceeded without much difficulty.

Kotetsu's abilities in all aspects are relatively ordinary, while Nozomi, although younger, is superior to Kotetsu in ninjutsu and tactics.

This is the difference in talent.

In less than 5 minutes, Gangzitie was defeated.

Yun Renxi very politely helped Gangzi Tie up from the ground and was also very courteous to the examiners.

Seeing the Konoha ninjas fail, Iruka became nervous again.

Next round:

"Rain Ninja - Mainan!"

"Konoha—Iruka!"

Qingwu thought for a moment and realized that this Rain Ninja was just a minor character, so he said to Iruka, "Think about the process of you sparring with me, and have confidence in yourself."

Iruka is not outstanding in any aspect.

However, he doesn't actually have any obvious weaknesses. He can easily deal with ordinary ninjas, especially in taijutsu, where he has made great progress in sparring with Qingwu.

"Don't feel pressured. If you lose, you can always try again next year!"

Qingwu shoved two explosive tags into Iruka's hands.

He didn't have much spare money, but he had bought some ninja tools to keep on him in order to enrich his tactics.

Iruka nodded and landed on the field.

The process of this match was pretty much as Qingwu had anticipated.

The Rain Ninja only knew one move, "Water Release: Water Chaos Wave," but Iruka managed to get close after using explosive tags to neutralize the impact of the ninjutsu.

In the taijutsu duel, Iruka demonstrated solid skills, defeating the Rain Ninja in just two minutes.

Back in the stands, Iruka's mood finally improved a lot. "Qingwu, I... I made it into the main tournament!"

Qingwu joked, "If you draw me in the main tournament, I'll forfeit!"

Unexpectedly, Iruka said seriously, "Please don't do that. Anko knows she can't beat you, but she still has to fight with all her might. So do I!"

Qingwu was slightly taken aback... Is this the perseverance of a ninja?

He ruffled Iruka's hair and said something similar to what Yugao had said before: "Iruka, in the future... we probably won't be able to be teammates anymore."

Iruka showed little surprise and replied, "I know!"

The gap... is widening!

The reason Qingwu said this was because he had already guessed the Third Generation's plan for him.

Now, having realized his own inadequacy in the battle with Orochimaru, he has gradually become less eager to go to the battlefield.

As long as Orochimaru remains "wandering" in the ninja world, Konoha is the safest place.

Good, stay in the territory and accumulate more "strength" before going out!

But before that... we need to talk to the Third Boss (about money).

……

Around noon, the second round of the preliminary rounds concluded.

After rounds of elimination, only 8 genin remain. Six of them are from Konoha, and the other two are Hii from Kumogakure and Sunagakure.

The main competition will be held in a week.

This gives the genin a special training period to improve.

Of course, this is nothing compared to the month-long interval between the qualifiers and the main tournament in future peacetime. After all, we are still in wartime, so everything must be kept simple.

Qingwu led Iruka back to the territory.

He offered Iruka some advice on physical techniques.

That's right. Just over two months ago, he needed Iruka to guide him in basic physical skills, but now the roles have reversed.

Not long after Iruka left, Kakashi arrived, "The Hokage summons you!"

As night fell, Qingwu followed Kakashi to the Hokage Building.

After Kakashi left, only Qingwu and Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the office.

"The plans have changed. You won't need to participate in the main competition in three days," the Third Hokage said bluntly.

"Huh?" Qingwu looked at the Third Hokage in surprise. What are you up to now?

“A 13-year-old Jonin…that’s quite astonishing for that age.” The Third Hokage chuckled. “I think you’re right.”

During their last conversation, Qingwu had declined the suggestion to be directly promoted to Jonin.

But the third generation leader gave a long explanation back then, and now...

Unable to discern Hiruzen Sarutobi's purpose, Qingwu could only reply, "Yes, Hokage-sama!"

"Hmm!" the Third Hokage said with satisfaction.

"You've demonstrated your strength enough these past two days. After the exam, I'll promote you to Special Jonin. I'm sure no one will have any objections."

Although there is only a "half" level difference between Special Jonin and Jonin.

But for a ninja village, the meaning is different. Becoming a Jonin means truly entering the core ranks of a ninja village.

“This is just a transition,” the Third Generation said. “Qingwu, I believe that with your intelligence, you will understand this.”

In fact, the Third Hokage recently tested the waters at a Jonin meeting in the village and, finding resistance to directly promoting Qingwu to Jonin, changed his mind to avoid trouble.

For Qingwu, this was just right. "Yes, Lord Hokage! I accept all arrangements!"

The Third Hokage said, "Then, I can tell you about the arrangements for the Shadow Guard in advance."

……

Chapter 61 Dark Guard, Heavenly Treasury

"The idea for the Shadow Guard originated with you, but you are not the captain."

The Third Hokage stated directly, "The captain will be Jonin Kakashi!"

Qingwu met the Third Hokage's gaze calmly, "Kakashi-senpai's words are very appropriate!"

Joining the Dark Division was now inevitable, and he could no longer refuse. However, taking this opportunity, he still asked his question:

"Lord Hokage, my... power is already quite noticeable. Am I really suited for the work of the Anbu?"

"To be precise, it's the Shadow Guard!" The Third Hokage put down his pipe, his voice steady:

"The direct ANBU squad responsible for the Hokage's safety has two other members besides Captain Kakashi and you."

Can I find out who my teammates are?

"Hehe, you'll find out when you go to Kakashi's place later."

The third generation leader smiled and kept everyone in suspense for a moment, then said, "As for what you mean by conspicuous... it's precisely because it's conspicuous that it needs to be placed next to me."

Seeing that Qingwu still looked puzzled.

The Third Hokage stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the Hokage Rock outside:

"Qingwu, do you know how many eyes are watching you right now? Not to mention those small ninja villages, there's Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Orochimaru..."

You didn't mention Danzo, that old man... Qingwu silently complained.

The Third Hokage turned around, his gaze turning serious: "If you continue to operate as an ordinary ninja, they can attack you at any time."

For example... an 'accident' might happen during the mission, or... you might encounter 'rogue ninja,' which is why I've always disagreed with you going to the battlefield.

Qingwu nodded, which could be considered as "accepting" the third generation's "threat".

Anyway, the plan to go to the battlefield has been postponed, and leveling up is not the only development path.

The third generation changed the subject:

"But if you are a member of the Shadow Guard, it means that you can represent me in a certain sense. To touch you is to declare war on the Hokage and on Konoha!"

“This is protection,” the Third Hokage said. “It’s also a constraint. In the Shadow Guard, your actions will be monitored, but you also gain a protective shell, and—”

He paused, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes, "I'll say it again: Konoha needs you, I... I need you!"

Here we go again... Qingwu can't take it anymore.

The Will of Fire is terrifying; it feels like it can brainwash you at any moment.

Qingwu disliked the feeling of always being led by others in conversation, so...

He chose to express his demands directly: "Lord Hokage, I need a large sum of money."

"Hmm?" The third generation leader was slightly surprised. Didn't they just give him 30 taels of silver not long ago?

"Yes!" Qingwu nodded vigorously. He didn't explain further, and even if the Third Generation thought he had a greedy problem, he accepted it.

“Hmm…” the Third Hokage pondered, “I think I promised you a reward for the ‘A’ you brought back last time, but then I got busy and it was delayed until now…”

"Besides, you do need funding to research ninjutsu on your own, so how about this..."

The Third Hokage, having piqued everyone's interest, finally said, "Gao is a Wood Release ninja, and he is very important to the village. I'll pay you the reward for an S-rank mission!"

Qingwu was overjoyed: "Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

"One million taels!" The third patriarch looked at the smiling young man before him and chuckled as well.

"In addition, I will officially designate the Death Forest area as your 'exclusive training ground,' nominally a 'special tactical training ground for the Dark Side,' but in reality, you will have full control over it. This is the greatest degree of freedom I can give you."

The conditions were undeniably generous... Qingwu thought to himself, it practically legalized his territory.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage!" Qingwu expressed his gratitude once again.

The third generation leader waved his hand, "The payment will be delivered to you later."

As he spoke, he took a scroll out of the drawer. "This is a storage scroll. Inside are your Shadow Guard uniform and mask. Go on, Kakashi and your teammates are waiting for you."

Qingwu accepted the scroll, bowed, and turned to leave.